I want to model an aggregates quarry but I need some information about railroad operations in a quarry and some ideas for a possible track plan. I am modeling modern era, H0 scale and my space is 2x9.

My idea is modeling the crusher/loader zone, I have the Walter's Glaciar gravel kit and some ballast hoppers.

Need inspiration!

How long do people spend working out their track plans .. I originally had an idea of what I wanted to do about 4 months ago .. but so far all the ideas I've put down on paper have to be changed when I've looked at how it might fit in the space I've got. I've looked at plans online and in magazines trying to get some ideas but when I put them down on paper either they don't fit or they just don't look right.

I am in the process of designing my first yard. Seems like every yard I've seen so far has at least one part with end-to-end turnouts, forming an S-turn. I see it mostly in the first rung of a ladder and in sidings. Is this OK in these circumstances? If I insert the suggested 12" of straight section between left & right turns then the parallel tracks are too far apart. I'm using #5 turnouts. Thanks for any advice.

Hello, all.  New to this forum, though I've been enjoying the magazine very much for the past couple years.  Got so wrapped up in the magazine, didn't even think to look around the website and at the forums!  D'oh!